Which records are retired to authorized federal record centers?

Records older than 10 years are generally considered for retirement to authorized federal record centers because they have surpassed their active use period and may be of historical significance or value for preservation. The retirement of these records helps to manage ongoing record-keeping effectively, freeing up space in active storage areas and ensuring that essential historical documents are preserved in appropriate facilities.

Records that are older than a decade have often fulfilled their initial purpose and may now be required for reference, audit, or legal purposes, thus justifying their transfer to a federal records center where they can be maintained under controlled conditions.

The other options do not align with the criteria for retirement to federal record centers. Short-term records typically have a set retention period and may not have reached the threshold for retirement. The blanket categorization of all electronic records does not consider the age or significance of those records, as not all electronic records are eligible for or require retirement. Non-essential records may not meet the criteria for preservation and are more likely to be destroyed rather than transferred to a record center.